Plan for Springfield to purchase or take Urban League property for Mason Square library moves forward

SPRINGFIELD - The City Council will have a proposal to vote on by the end of July either to buy or take by eminent domain the Urban League of Springfield property at 765 State St. to provide a library for Mason Square, the city lawyer said Friday.

"We're almost there," City Councilor Bud L. Williams said.

"You'll have to say it louder than that," said Ruth B. Loving, an activist pushing to make 765 State St. a library again.

"We're almost there," Williams shouted.

City Solicitor Edward M. Pikula gave an issue update to the council Planning and Economic Development Committee at City Hall.

The Law Department must take procedural steps before an offer to buy the property or a seizing can take place, including an appraisal of the value and structure and a title search, he said.

Pikula said a purchase or eminent domain proposal will get to the City Council by the end of next month.

Some factors could slow or block city acquisition of 765 State St.

Urban League officials have said the property, which the organization bought in 2003 for $700,000, isn't for sale.

League officials also have said they will fight efforts to seize the property.

League President Henry M. Thomas III declined to comment on Friday and referred questions to lawyer A. Craig Brown, who couldn't be reached for comment.

Council President William T. Foley reiterated on Tuesday he will prevent a council vote on 765 State St. until he gets details on what it will cost to run another library and the funding source. That's pertinent because the city has cut library staff and reduced hours because of a state funding reduction, he said.

Use of the property as a library remains a fond memory and a bitter reference point for residents like Loving. That's because 765 State St. was the Mason Square branch of the library system until the private Springfield Library and Museums Association, which is now the Springfield Museums Association, sold it to the Urban League.